Awning



Feb. 11, 1930.

w. A. BRACKEN 1,747,101

AWNING Filed July 18, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR.TVi'ZZiwmJBmafiem Feb l1, 1930. w. A. BRACKEN AWNING Filed July 18, 19282 Slants-Sheav 7 IINVENTOR. fVilliamjfirachgn,

Fatent ecl Feb. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AWNING Applicationfiled July 18, 1928.

This invention relates to awnings, more particularly to awnings adaptedfor use in connection with the doors or windows of automobile bodies.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an awning of the character aforesaid, includingas a part thereof, a locking block for maintaining the awning at variousangles,

which may be built into the moldings for the doors or windows ofautomobile bodies during the construction of the latter, or which may besecured to such moldings at any time after the body has been built.

A further object of the invention is to provide an awning of thecharacter as aforesaid, the web of which may be selectively positionedvertically or at various angles to the vertical as desired, and whichmay be adj usted as to exposed length in any selected position.

In the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed todesignate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a vertical section through an automobile window frame,showing in association therewith an embodiment of my invention.

Figure is a transverse section through the embodiment shown in Figure 1,with the yoke arms positioned horizontally,

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional elevation of theembodiment shown in Figure 1.

5 Figure 4 is a detailed, perspective view of the locking lug.

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevation of the embodiment shownin Figure 1, showing the shank of the locking lug in section.

Figure 6 is a detailed view of my improved securing plate.

Figure 7 is a perspective view thereof showing the locking fingers. infolded position.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1 il lustrating the use of mysecuring plate.

Figure 9 is a transverse section of the embodiment shown in Figure 8with the yoke arms positioned horizontally.

Serial No. 293,552.

Figure 10 is a vertical section through the embodiment shown in Figure9.

Figure 11 is a detailed,.perspective view of the locking block.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates awindow frame, equipped with a glass pane 2 of usual type, slidablewithin a groove 3. The frame 1 is formed with a molding 4 on each sidethereof and with a top and bottom molding 5 and 6 respectively. Securedto the upper part of the frame 1 is a hanger 7 which is formed with asemi-cylindrical body portion 8 de pending below the top of the frame.Each side molding 4 provides a securing or retaining element for alocking block to be presently referred to. Journaled in the closed endsof the body portion 8 in any suitable manner is a spring controlledroller 9, upon which is adapted to be wound the web 10 of the awning.

The free end of the web 10 is secured to a yoke 11. Each of the moldings4 is of channel formation formed in its inner face with a longitudinalopening extending for the entire length thereof, and formed in its outerface, centrally thereof, with a circular opening 13. The moldings 4 aresecured in position by suitable holdfast devices 14.

Before assembling the moldings 4 upon the frame 1, a locking block 15 issecured within the channels thereof by means of suitable screws16 whichextend through openings 17 formed in the locking block 15. Extendingtransversely through the locking block 15 is an opening 18, the wall ofwhich is formed with a plurality of spaced notches '19, 20, 21 and 22.

Associated with the locking block 15 is a locking lug indicatedgenerally at 23and formed with a shank 24 which is square in crosssection, an annular shoulder 25 and an elongated boss 26, through whichextends a. longitudinal opening 27. In the assembled relation of thelocking lug 23 and locking block 15, the shank 24 extends through theopening 18 and the shoulder 25 fits flatly against the outer face of themolding 4. The locking lug 23 is secured in position by means of awasher 28, which bears against the inner face of the locking block 15,and through which extends a suitable screw 29 which engages the threadedwall of an opening formed in the shank 24.

Mounted on the end of the shank 24 is a pawl 31, which is provided witha square opening within which the end of the shank 24 is seated. Theopening is of proper size to form a snug lit with the shank 24.Interposed between the pawl 31 and the shoulder 25 is a washer 32 whichis formed with an elongated, rectangular opening 33. opening 33 is ofproper width to loosely receive the shank 24 therethrough and is ofSLlffiClBIlt length to provide a slot to permit a sliding movement tothe shank 24.

The washer 32- is of substantially the same thickness as the wall of themoldings 4 and also serves as a spacer to maintain the shoulder 25adjacent the outer face of the moldings 4 and to maintain the pawl 31adjacent the inner face of the moldings 4 within the channels of themoldings. The pawl 31 is formed with a tooth 34 which is similar incontour to the notches 19, 20, :21 and 22 and is intended for selectiveengagement with said notches. The pawl 31 and washer 32 are assembled onthe shank with the tooth 34 parallel with the opening 33 lengthwisethereof. The tooth 34 is of substantially the same length as thedifference between the length and width of the opening The yoke 11 isconnected with the locking lug 23 by inserting the ends of the yoke arms35 through the openings 27 of the elongated bosses 26 of the lugs 23.The yokearms 35 slide freely through the openings 27 and may be securedagainst sliding at any position desired by means of suitable set screws36. In the assembled relation of the yoke 11 and locking lugs 23, theyoke arms 35 extend in parallel relation to the openings 33 and teeth34.

In Figures 6 to 10, the securing element for the locking block is in theform of a plate 37 which permits my improved locking block to be securedto the window or door frame of an automobile body. The plate 37comprises an elongated body portion 37 formed with a pair oftransversely extending,

apertured fingers 38. The body portion 37- is formed with a pair ofelongated slots 39 for the passage therethrough of suit able holdfastdevices 40 for securing the plate to the frame. The slots 39 provide forthe vertical adjustment of the plate 37 to permit the locking block 15to be positioned centrally of the side of the frame. After assemblingthe locking block 15 and locking lug 23 on the fingers 38, the fingersare bent to extend parallel to the body portion in spaced relationthereto, as clearly shown in Figure 9.

The block 15 is secured to the fingers 38 by means of suitable screws 41which extend through the apertured fingers 38 into threaded Theengagement with the block 15. The locking lug 23 is positioned with theshank 24 ex tending through the opening 18 in the looking block 15 andis secured in position with the pawl 31 disposed within the opening 18,by means of a washer 42 which bears against the inner face of block 15and is held in position by means of a screw A similar washer 44 ispositioned between the fingers 38.

l/Vhen the awning is in operative position, an inherent force is exertedby the spring controlled roller 9 upon the web 10 and yoke arms 35 inthe direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. The force on the yokearms 35 longitudinally thereof normally forces the shank 24 to theoutermost end of the opening 33, in which position the teeth 34 of thepawls 31 engage the notches in the walls 18 of the locking blocks 15 andmaintain the locking lugs 23 against rotation. When it is desired torelease the locking engagement between the teeth 34 and the notches inthe locking blocks, an outward pull is exerted on the yoke 11, by meansof which the shanks 24 of the locking lugs 23 are withdrawn to theinnermost ends of the openings 33and the teeth 34 are withdrawn fromengaging position with the notches.

When the securing plates 37 are employed for assembling the lockingblock 15 on the frame, preferably a space equal to the distance from thepoint of the teeth 34 to a point diametrically opposite thereof on thelug 31 is left between the opposing edges of the fingers 38 on eachplate 37 This dis tance between the opposing edges of the fingers38-permits sufficient movement to the locking lugs 23 to enable theteeth 34 to be withdrawn from engagement with the notches in the wallsof the openings 18 in the locking blocks 15 with the awning disposed inany position.

By adjusting the yoke arms 35 relative to the locking lugs 23, the angleof the web 10 may be varied as desired. The adjustment of the yoke arms35 relative to the locking lugs 23 also permits the web 10 to bepositioned vertically as a blind with the lower edge of the web atanyheight desired.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

WVhat I claim-is:

1. In an awning of the type including a spring controlled roller havinga web wound thereon and a yoke carried by the web, the combination of alocking block adapted to be secured to a window frame in spaced relationthereto and formed with an opening, the wall of which is provided with aplurality of notches, a locking lug having a shank rotatably extendingthrough said opening, a pawl mounted on said shank to rotate therewithfor engagement with said notches to latch said locking lug, means forconnecting said looking lug with an end portion of the yoke, and meansto permit sliding movement of the lug relative to the block.

2. In an awning of the type including a spring controlled roller havinga web wound thereon and a yoke carried by the web, the combination of alocking block formed with an opening, the wall of which is provided witha plurality of notches, a securing element for connecting said lockingblock to a window frame in spaced relation thereto, a locking lug havinga shank rotatably extending through the opening of the locking block, apawl mounted on said shank to rotate therewith for engagement with saidnotches to latch said locking lug, a washer mounted on said shank andwithin said element, and means for connecting said locking lug with anend portion of said yoke.

3. In an awning of the type including a spring controlled roller havinga web wound thereon and a yoke carried by the web, the combination of alocking block formed with an opening, the wall of which is provided witha plurality of notches, a securing element for carrying said lockingblock for se curing the latter to a window frame in spaced relationthereto, a locking lug having a square shank rotatably extending throughthe opening of the locking block, a pawl mounted on said shank to rotatetherewith for engagement with said notches to latch the locking lug, awasher within said element and having an elongated, rectangular slotthrough which said shank extends, and means for connect ing said lockinglug with an end portion of said yoke.

I 4. In an awning of the type including a spring controlled rollerhaving a web wound thereon and a yoke carried by the web, thecombination of a locking block formed with an opening, the wall of whichis provided with a plurality of notches, means for securig said lockingblock to a window frame in spaced relation thereto, a locking lug havinga square shank rotatably extending through the opening of the lockingblock, a pawl mounted on said shank to rotate therewith for engagementwith said notches to latch said locking lug, a washer having anelongated, rectangular slot through which said shank extends, and meansfor connecting said locking lug with an end portion of said yoke, thelongitudinal plane of said slot being parallel to the longitudinal planeof said pawl.

5. In a rolling awning structure of that type including a springcontrolled awning body shifting yoke, the combination of a securingelement for connection to a window or door frame and including a pair ofspaced fingers, a locking block secured to said fingers and bridging thespace therebetween, said block provided with an opening having the wallthereof formed with a plurality of notches, a locking lug having a shankextended through said opening and rotatably connected to said block, awasher positioned between said fingers and through which the shankextends, said spaced fingers, washer and opening permitting of the lugsliding relative to the plate, a pawl carried by the shank and coactingwith the notches to latch the lug, and means for connecting the lug toan end portion of the yoke.

6. In a rolling awning structure of that type including a springcontrolled awning body shifting yoke, the combination of a securingelement for connection to a window or door frame and including a pair ofspaced fin ers, a locking block secured to said fingers and bridging thespace therebetween, said block provided with an opening having the wallthereof formed with a plurality of notches, a locking lug for mountingon an end portion of the yoke, means for adjustably securing the lug tosaid end portion, said lug including a shank extending through saidopening and rotatably connected to said block, a washer positionedbetween said fingers and through which the shank extends, said spacedfingers, washer and opening permitting of the lug sliding relative tothe plate, and a pawl carried by the shank and co-acting with thenotches to latch said lug against the action of the controlling springfor the awning body.

7. In combination, a securing element for connection to' a side of awindow frame opening, a locking block secured thereto and provided withan opening having its wall formed with a plurality of notches, aslidable and rotatable latching lug for an arm of an awning bodyshifting yoke, said lug including a shank extending through said openingand rotatably connected to said block, means positioned within saidelement, mounted on said shank and in connection with said openingpermitting of a sliding movement of the lug relative to the block, saidmeans rotating with the shank, and a pawl carried by the shank andcoacting with the notches for latching said lug from movement.

8. In combination, a securing element for connection to a side of awindow frame opening, a locking block fixedly secured to said element,spaced from said side. and formed With an opening, a locking devicepositioned in said opening, extended from said element and rotatablyconnected to said block, means for connecting to the'outer' portion ofsaid device an arm of a spring controlled awning body adjusting yoke,said device and the wall of said opening having coacting means forlatching said device to the block against the action of the controllingspring of the yoke, and means mounted on said device and within saidelement and coacting with said opening to permit of sliding said devicerelative to the block to release the former.

9. In an awning of the type including a spring controlled roller havinga web wound thereon and a yoke carried by the web, a pair of lockingblocks each formed with an opening, the wall of which is provided with aplurality of notches, a channel member for securing each of said lockingblocks to a window frame in spaced relation thereto and having acircular opening formed through the" outer wall thereof in alignmentwith said" locking block openings, a pair of locking lugs each having asquare shank rotatably extending through the aligned openings of alocking block and channel member, a pawl mounted on said shank to rotatetherewith for engage-. ment with said notches, a washer mounted withinsaid circular opening and having an elongated, rectangular slot throughwhich said shank extends, the longitudinal plane of said slot beingparallel to the longitudinal plane of said pawl, an elongated bossformed 011 said lug and provided with an opening eX- tending in parallelrelation to the longitudinal plane of said slot to slidably receive theend portions of said yoke therethrough, and means for adjustablysecuring said end portions against sliding movement.

10. In an awing of the type including a spring controlled roller havinga web wound thereon and a yoke carried by the web, the combination of alocking block adapted to be secured to a window frame in spaced relationthereto and formed with an opening, said opening having its wallprovided with a plurality of notches, a locking lug having a shankrotatably extending through said opening, a pawl mounted on the shankto-rotate therewith for engagement with said notches to latch saidlocking lug, means to permit sliding movement of the lug relative to theblock, and means formed on said locking lug for connecting directlytherewith an end portion of the yoke.

11. In an awning of the type including a spring controlled roller havinga web wound thereon and a yoke carried by the web, the combination of alocking block adapted to be secured to a window framein spaced relationthereto, said block being formed with an opening in spaced relation tothe edges of the block, said opening having its wall formed with aplurality of notches, a locking lug having a shank rotatably extendingthrough said opening, a pawl mounted on said shank to retate therewithfor engagement with said notches to latch said locking lug, means topermit sliding movement of the locking lug relative to the block, andmeans for connecting said locking lug with an end portion of the yoke.

12. In an awning of the type including a. spring controlled rollerhaving a web wound thereon and a yoke carried by the web, thecombination of a locking block adapted to be secured to a window framein spaced relation thereto and formed with an opening, said openinghaving its wall provided with a plurality of notches, a locking lughaving a pawl positioned within the opening for engagement with saidnotches, means coacting with the locking lug to permit movement of thelatter diametrically of the opening for disengaging the pawl from thenotches, and means for connecting the locking lug with an end ortion ofthe yoke.

In testimony whereof, I liIlX my signature hereto.

WILLIAM A. BRACKEN.

